Parks: There's more to Maranoa Botanic Gardens in Balwyn than meets the eye

WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?

Full of hidden natural delights to discover, the Maranoa Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest and most impressive native gardens in the country.

Entering the suburban Balwyn park, I can almost hear the trickle of its rainforest waterfall, concealed just beyond a green glade. Benches sit nestled in surrounding native shrubbery, shaded by various trees and foliage – the muted colours of the southern Australian bush enhanced by birdsong.

The gardens have always been a botanist’s dream. When they opened in 1919, about 500 people attended to see the new expans

e of native flora from Australia and New Zealand, uncharacteristic of a time when English gardens were de rigueur.

There are more than 4000 native plant species here, and placards along the paths educate me. While it isn’t a spot for ball games or dog walks, there are toilets and heaps of space for a picnic.

I pass the Indigenous plant display – a gorgeous area made up of predominantly grassy woodland species. One of the more striking flowers I come across is the fuchsia heath, or Epacris longiflora, a bell-shaped, red-and-white beauty. This educational aspect makes it such a great place for teaching kids about native ecosystems.

WHO WILL YOU FIND THERE?

The park is serenely quiet, except for the birds. I walk around its circumference in complete solitude before I come across two older ladies, who chat to each other and point to the top of the trees.

Closer towards the rainforest zone, the pleasant sound of running water crescendos. There’s a vine-covered arch that looks and feels entirely magical. As I pass through, the roof of the canopy hangs low and I need to crouch slightly to see the falls and a creek that runs under a tiny bridge.

I emerge onto the park’s main path and walk to an arid region, where there are crooked oaks and bursts of orange banksias. I meet Chris and Steve, who have lived in the area for about 30 years.

“I just like the feeling of being in a natural place, not able to see big concrete towers and feeling like it’s just a peaceful world,” Chris says. “I love listening to the bird calls.”

WHAT’S NEARBY?

The Balwyn Community Centre is about a 10-minute walk from the gardens and is a fun place to spend a few hours. There’s a walking track circling around a lovely wetland. The vibrant recreational area has table-tennis tables and exercise equipment. There are also tennis courts, which can be booked by anyone for $20 an hour.

PICK UP A PICNIC

Grab all the ingredients for a picnic from Signorelli on Whitehorse Road. This is one of a few good fresh fruit and veg shops here, but has the splendidness
of stocking cheese, sweets, dips and olives.